As always the download link is located at the bottom of the post.

4 Voices in Harmony 4 Ever…

One of the first records I ever owned was given to me by my father: the self-titled album by Crosby, Stills and Nash. He gave it to me with an anecdote about how he and his buddies used to get really stoned listening to it and that it had a bunch of great songs on it. In particular he mentioned “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” and “Marakesh Express”. He explained that Marakesh Express is a song about smuggling hash, I’m still not sure whether it’s true or not, but that doesn’t matter. Later on, when I first brought those dusty grooves to life again, there was a magic feeling that came along with it. Now those of you who are familiar with the record know that part of that magic was strictly a product of the genius of these 3 young musicians. But, on top of that, there was this amazing feeling of touching the same record my Dad did at around the same age as he would’ve been, listening to the same songs, and of course getting high to them as well. Inherited records will do that to you.

This record is not that record. I came across this record about 5 years later on in the story of my life. Much like the other bootlegs I have found while crate-digging, something stood out to me with this record. It seemed shoddy, poorly put together and well… bootleg. On the front cover there’s this picture of the musicians in sepia-tone, posing with guns in front of a rail-house likes it’s the old west. Underneath the photo the words, “Stillscros B. Jungnash” and on top the title, “On The Right Track” and that’s all the text there is on the cover. The back has the track-listings (which you will soon discover to be an unbeatable greatest-hits set-list), the date of the recording reads “Lakehurst, NJ 6/7/70”, the musicians’ names and a short epitaph reading, “4 Voices in Harmony 4 Ever”, all of this superimposed over old Steam-Train design diagrams. Right in the middle there appears to be a drawing of two men drilling into an older man’s head. Interesting.

The music on these discs is an unofficial live recording purportedly made during the Lakehurst, New Jersey show on June 7th, 1970. I have discovered some internet commentary stating that there is no way that this is from the Lakehurst show. Some fans like to think it’s from the Fillmore East shows during the bands week-long residency earlier in 1970. I’m not sure who to believe, but, I’ll settle on it being from 1970 and leave it at that. Like most bootlegs, the sound quality is pretty crappy, but that’s not what this record is all about. This record is about the performance and how the band experimented with their songs and what comes in between the songs. It’s about getting to know these musicians in a way that would be impossible otherwise, through their colloquy between songs. Hearing these guys bullshit and banter in their post-Summer of Love hippie accents provides for some of the best moments on this record. But let’s not forget the music.

In the same way the band started their debut, this bootleg starts with “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”. They then switch things up with an ultra-slow version of the Beatles, “Blackbird” which even the band members seem to be taken a-back by. One of them even suggests that they try it again. Then Neil Young arrives and things get a whole lot better. Young’s seamless medley of his own songs on Side 2 (Tell Me Why/The Loner/Cinnamon Girl/Down by the River”) is a high-point in this performance. The record continues steadily up until Stephen Stills decides to tune his guitar to play the blues and performs his song, “Black Queen”, sharing his inspiration for the song while getting ready. Then Side 4 comes along and things really take off. Neil Young’s songwriting really steals the show as the group finishes up with “Helplessly Hoping”, “Ohio” and “Southern Man”. It’s really something that needs to be heard by all of you. So, don’t let me waste anymore of your time. Download the recording below and enjoy. Remember, as far as I know, this is the only place on the internet where you can hear this album. Feel special. Stay tuned for more fun.

As always the download link is located at the bottom of the post.

As if he needed any introduction…

In the time of 10-minute pop-stars, trash idols and with so many worshipping the junk they produce, it is apt now more than ever, to revisit the work of Elvis Presley. I could go on and wax poetic about the nature of celebrity, the history of rock and roll and the life and music of Elvis Presley. I could even rant about how I am immediately cast into a world of endless sadness when I hear the pop-music of today. But we like to keep it focused on the content here at Garbage & Gold, so, I’ll just say this: so much can be learned from Elvis. I don’t mean that we could learn from Elvis: the man. I’m talking about Elvis: the music. Like any pop-song, we’ve all heard Elvis’ biggest hits countless times. We’ve heard them to the point where they don’t mean anything anymore. They almost don’t sound like anything anymore either. Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to wake up from this nightmare. I hope that this record might be that slap for some of you loyal listeners. I urge all of you to take a step back, listen to this record and try to rediscover the magic of The King.

This record is a rare bootleg containing 2 film soundtracks (Jailhouse Rock and Loving You) where Elvis star (and sings) as musicians Vince Everett and Deke Rivers. The record contains the takes that ended up being used in the movie. The official soundtrack released by RCA contains different cuts of these songs that were not used in the film. It is a very special collectors piece for those Elvis fans out there. Included on this record is a set of phone interviews between Dick Clark and Elvis while Elvis was serving in the Army in Germany. Also included is a collage of excerpts from Elvis’ live performance in Vancouver, Canada – September 1, 1957. The quality is extremely lo-fi and it isn’t a very good listen.

Liner Notes from the Record:

Elvis Presley recorded the songs for the LOVING YOU movie in Hollywood between February and March, 1957. Most of the cuts on this LP are different versions than the ones released on record, especially the fast version of “Loving You” and the version of “Party” which has a different verse added. In May, 1957, Elvis went to the MGM Studios, Culver City, California to cut the JAILHOUSE ROCK soundtrack. Again, most of the takes he sings in the movie are different than what was released. It’s quite evident that either film companies or RCA own tapes of all of these, but it is very doubtful if they will ever be issued. This is a pity because, while they are bascially the same as the tracks put on record, ardent Elvis fans would love to hear the mistakes and different pgrasing Elvis does on them. Hence, the reason for this LP.

Besides the two soundtracks, this LP also contains excerpts from Elvis’ September 1, 1957 “live” concert in Vancouver, Canada. Unfortunately, it is only close to 5 minutes in length and really gives a very brief glimpse into early Elvis’ performance, but it is worth hearing simply because, up until now, there has been NO record released –either bootleg or otherwise– of a “live” concert from the 50’s. However, it is quite possible that this entire show will be made available to Elvis fans in the months to come. In the meantime, enjoy listening to the King at his best.

As an extra added bonus, two interviews with Dick Clark have been included. Both were done via telephone while Elvis was in the Army in Germany and the quality isn’t the best but we think they are of enough interest to warrant inclusion.

As always, the download link is located near the bottom of the post.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Here at Garbage and Gold we are not content with monotony. This is now the 8th record that has been offered up to the masses on this blog and I have decided to do something a little bit different this time. Don’t worry, an LP’s worth of great music is still headed your way, that much will never change. But being the sole contributor of this blog can be a lonesome affair, so for this post, I have asked some of my best friends to contribute their creative talents to the blog.

Front Cover

The LP that we are presenting today is called Japanese Super Angels, a musical record promising “120% Exciting Sounds”, “Fighting Stereo Recording” and “360 Degree Sound”. The songs contained are individualized Wrestler Theme Songs for fans of Women’s Wrestling All Japan or The Super Angels in the 1980s and 90s. It is a beautiful picture disc record that caught my eye one day misfiled in the Sound Effects section at Amoeba Music (Hollywood). I took it home expecting wrestling sound effects, I was pleasantly surprised. This record contains some of the grooviest 80s Rock-Jazz-Funk-Synth-Pop-Nintendo-Fusion jams that I have ever come across. They are driving, motivational and inspiring, perfect for the adolescent wrestling fans that this record was probably targeted toward. They are catchy as the flu, yet, I couldn’t find any other copies or digital versions of these songs anywhere! This is a perfect example of the type of record that I started this blog for. A hidden gem. Someone’s garbage sold for a couple dollars has become this record collector’s gold. When you download below, you can share my plunder. Go ahead, download it now. Throw it on. Then continue reading, we have a lot of good stuff for you!

Picture Disc

As I mentioned before, we have some great guest-writers that have contributed to this post. About half of the wrestlers profiled on this record have a short piece that accompany their information. In some cases this piece is a bio, in others the writers have taken their creative liberties to truly capture the essence of these modern gladiators. Please take the time to download and read these pieces. The writers have worked hard on them so that you could get an extra laugh/cry as you enjoy this music, so please feel free to do so. I offer a sincere thank-you to these writers for taking the time to make this a better post. Further gratitude goes out to reddit users: EasternNinja (for so much information and real character bios) and dxn126 (for the song titles). I hope that you all enjoy the multimedia.

Here is what I know about Wilfred Walker: he played a bamboo saxophone that he crafted himself from scraps; he used his homemade instrument to play his own brand of Mento music under the name Sugar Belly. In the 1950s in Jamaica, before Reggae and Ska would have their day, people were shaking it up and dancing to Mento music. For those of you new to Mento, like me, music shares a lot with Calypso music from neighboring Trinidad and Tobago. This would be a great companion album with a previous post on this blog, The Fabulous McClevertys. Unlike the McCleverty album, this record is completely instrumental. It is a lot of fun and very easy listening. Like most Caribbean folk music, I find that it really suits itself for daytime playing. Throw this on in the car/bike as you cruise around town or even play it through a boombox on the beach. Sugar Belly is a rarity in record stores but also in that he is a self-taught musician playing his self-made instrument. That’s truly DIY.

This is probably my favorite record in my modest collection of Indian music. I remember buying this blindly at Amoeba Hollywood with no doubt in my mind that it was going to be great. I had never really heard Indian flute music; most of the Indian music that I’d heard had the Sitar covering melodies. Perhaps it was the peacock feathers on the front that reassured me that this was going to be a worthwhile purchase. Growing up in an area rife with peacocks or “El Pavo Real”, I am attracted to art that involves them. But enough about Peacocks…

If you are at all a fan of Indian music, you will like this record. It contains six ragas all performed in front of a live audience and all featuring the master flute-work of Pt. Vijay Raghava Rao. Like most music of this kind it’s very mellow and good for meditating, relaxing, sexing or dreaming. I don’t really know what else to say about it, so, I will let other connoisseurs speak for me:

“No substitute for his flute…the complete master” – The Hindustan Times

The Fabulous McClevertys were a Calypso group from St. Thomas, V.I. in the 1950s. This record put out on the trustworthy Verve record label is the only document of their existence that I can find. It contains their most popular “hit” song, “Don’t Blame it on Elvis”. This is a great collection of real Calypso music from a forgotten band. There are some really great songs on here rife with social commentary and humor. Put it on, turn up the mids and enjoy! Download below.

This is a great set of first-wave Ska instrumentals featuring legendary composer/trombonist, Don Drummond and The Skatalites. Drummond was a founding member of The Skatalites and composed many of their hits up until he was convicted of murdering his girlfriend and subsequently submitted to a mental asylum. Drummond died in the asylum a few years later. According to Wikipedia, some sources believe that Drummond was killed in the asylum for the murder he committed.

Cover

Despite the tragic events that capped his life, Don Drummond is remembered as a leading visionary in early Jamaican Ska music of the 1960s. His musical style has influenced generations of Ska and Reggae musicians and continues to do so today.

This album is a greatest hits compilation put out on the Treasure Isle/Sonic Sounds label. The jazzy improvisational trombone work on this album lend itself to repeated listens. These songs will never get old. So do yourself a favor, put on your dancing shoes and get down to these fantastic Ska jams. This is a great record to play at your next party or even just around the house. If you are used to listening/dancing to reggae music be prepared to dance to a faster beat, this music doesn’t lend itself to being completely stoned out, but a little buzz wouldn’t hurt. For those of you who don’t live in the tropics, throw this record on to be transported to a totally different time and place. That is what great music is all about, right? Enjoy. Download below.